FOUR people have been arrested by police in Knapp Lane in Ledbury on suspicion of offences concerning class A drugs, heroin and crack cocaine.

Two of the people arrested are local and the other two are men from Birmingham, and these have been charged on suspicion of dealing.

A "large quantity of both crack cocaine and heroin" was found in their vehicle.

The news has been met with dismay by Ledbury's mayor, Annette Crowe, who will make the issue an agenda item at the next PACT meeting in town next month, where community issues can be discussed with police.

The names of those arrested and the precise location of the raid in Knapp Lane is still to be made public by police, except for the information that the two Birmingham men were stopped while in the process of driving away.

DC Laurence James, of Hereford CID said: "Two local people were caught in possession of heroin and crack cocaine."

He added: "Two males from Birmingham were stopped in a car driving out of Knapp Lane and found in possession of a large quantity of both crack cocaine and heroin. These two males were later charged with being concerned in the supply of both heroin and crack cocaine and have been remanded in prison until October."

Concerning the arrests of the two local people, DC James said: "One local has received a caution for possession of heroin. The other is still on police bail at present."

When asked if the arrests revealed a significant drugs problem in Ledbury, DC James said: "I would say Ledbury is no different to any other rural market town in the country for drug use."

But he added: "West Mercia Police wish to reiterate that dealing class A drugs will not be tolerated and anyone involved in it should expect long prison sentences."

The PACT meeting will take place on Monday, September 7 from 7pm in the Ledbury Town Council Offices, Church Lane.